I Cannot Work - now what?

This article resulted from the discussion of this topic at one of MGnet's Weekly Support Meetings. For more details on the schedule of MGnet's Weekly and Monthly Support Meetings, please see our Calendar of Events.

Many chronic patients, including Myasthenics, are faced with the fact that they cannot work, either for a period of time or ever again.

We know that this is not just an event in one's life. It brings many changes that are not easy to integrate in one's life.

In an attempt to cope, many aspects are considered:

Loss of income
Financial fears
Worries about health
Changes in the distribution of chores/roles within the family
Lack of social contact
Loss of a daily routine
Loss of a sense of purpose
Too much time on your hands that may lead to anxiety and depression
Loss of personal identity.

Adjusting to change is absolutely essential. It's a synonym of accepting the impact of Myatshenia Gravis and creating a new type of life, both productive and emotionally rewarding.

What can be done to make this adjustment process easier?

Here are a few notes:

Talk to someone about how you feel regarding this change in your life.

Find something you are really interested in and start focusing your attention on that: it could be writing, art, computers, anything.

If you find that you could benefit from the help of a therapist, don't hesitate.

Try to adjust to this change before making other big changes in your life, such as moving to a different house, for example.

Spend quality time with those you care for, your family, and your friends.

Organise your time: get up every day at the same time, have lunch, plan your day so that you do things that are important for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Try not to worry about what you cannot control (Myasthenia Gravis, who will care for you when you cannot do that yourself, etc).

Try to plan ahead financially, if possible.

Try to participate in fulfilling activities such doing volunteer work.

Keep a journal, where you record your feelings; it helps to be able to identify certain patterns in behaviour or in terms of Myasthenia symptoms.

Be physically active, as much as Myasthenia allows you to.

Myasthenia Gravis is not an easy illness to cope with, yet it certainly is an illness that allows all of us to try to progressively adjust, so that we can lead a life that is not an emotional burden for our family, our friends and us.

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	I Cannot Work... and now what happens? by Monica Pires April 2005

	This article resulted from the discussion of this topic at one of MGnet's Weekly Support Meetings. For more details on the schedule of MGnet's Weekly and Monthly Support Meetings, please see our Calendar of Events. Many chronic patients, including Myasthenics, are faced with the fact that they cannot work, either for a period of time or ever again. We know that this is not just an event in one's life. It brings many changes that are not easy to integrate in one's life. In an attempt to cope, many aspects are considered: Loss of income Financial fears Worries about health Changes in the distribution of chores/roles within the family Lack of social contact Loss of a daily routine Loss of a sense of purpose Too much time on your hands that may lead to anxiety and depression Loss of personal identity. Adjusting to change is absolutely essential. It's a synonym of accepting the impact of Myatshenia Gravis and creating a new type of life, both productive and emotionally rewarding. What can be done to make this adjustment process easier? Here are a few notes: Talk to someone about how you feel regarding this change in your life. Find something you are really interested in and start focusing your attention on that: it could be writing, art, computers, anything. If you find that you could benefit from the help of a therapist, don't hesitate. Try to adjust to this change before making other big changes in your life, such as moving to a different house, for example. Spend quality time with those you care for, your family, and your friends. Organise your time: get up every day at the same time, have lunch, plan your day so that you do things that are important for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Try not to worry about what you cannot control (Myasthenia Gravis, who will care for you when you cannot do that yourself, etc). Try to plan ahead financially, if possible. Try to participate in fulfilling activities such doing volunteer work. Keep a journal, where you record your feelings; it helps to be able to identify certain patterns in behaviour or in terms of Myasthenia symptoms. Be physically active, as much as Myasthenia allows you to. Myasthenia Gravis is not an easy illness to cope with, yet it certainly is an illness that allows all of us to try to progressively adjust, so that we can lead a life that is not an emotional burden for our family, our friends and us.

	©2005 by Monica Pires